Arlington Receives National Grant to Expand Summer Meals for Children

Published on February 04, 2026

Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture has been recognized nationally as a 2026 Healthy and Sustainable Communities Award recipient for its Feeding Children, Fueling the Future initiative — a program designed to expand and modernize summer meal access for children while building long-term capacity to operate a federally reimbursed nutrition program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The award, announced in Washington, D.C. during the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, places Arlington among just nine cities nationwide selected for funding supporting innovative, community-driven health and sustainability initiatives. Arlington was recognized in the large-city category for its plan to strengthen local summer nutrition infrastructure by becoming a Texas Department of Agriculture–approved Contracting Entity for the USDA Summer Food Service Program, using recreation centers as neighborhood meal sites

“This investment helps us meet families where they are — in their neighborhoods, at our recreation centers, and in spaces they already trust,” said Gary Packan, director of Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture. “By building local capacity to deliver USDA-supported meals, we’re not just addressing summer hunger today, we’re creating a sustainable system that will serve Arlington children for years to come.”

The initiative reflects Arlington City Council’s priority of Strengthening Our Communities, reinforcing the City’s broader commitment to youth well-being, equity and access to essential services. By leveraging federal nutrition programs and operating as a Contracting Entity, the City will be able to directly administer and grow its summer meals program—ensuring more children receive healthy food during the months when school cafeterias are closed and creating lasting local impact.

Steps towards becoming a Texas Department of Agriculture–approved Contracting Entity for the USDA Summer Food Service Program will commence in the coming months with the summer meal expansion anticipated for summer 2027. Additional details about program details, participating recreation centers, and timelines will be announced once those plans are finalized.

About the 2026 Healthy and Sustainable Communities Award